Woman faces charges for making up Goffstown abduction story

GOFFSTOWN – The 18-year-old woman who said a male driver tried to abduct her on Nov. 18 will soon be arrested for filing a false report.

Police will not release the name of the Manchester woman until an affidavit is signed by a judge and an arrest has been made, said Police Capt. Robert Browne.

“There are some family dynamics at play and I’m sure she wants to prepare her family,” Browne said.

The woman faces charges of false report of a crime, which carries either a misdemeanor level B, a fine of up to $1,200; or a level A charge of up to one year in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

Browne said the prosecutor will determine the offense, but the woman will most likely face a level B charge, “with no loss of liberty.”

Detective Matthew Barber, who was leading the investigation, questioned the woman’s statements and was able to obtain a confession that she had falsely reported the incident.

“We found inconsistencies with her statement and in statements she made to other folks that led us to question its validity,” said Browne. “Detective Barber was relentless in making sure the public is kept safe. A case like this is not something that occurs in town.”

The woman initially reported that she was walking near Daniel Plummer Drive and Cote Avenue at about 7:10 p.m., when she was approached by a male driver who asked if she needed a ride. When she said no, he drove away but returned and tried to pull her into the car. She gave a description of the man and said he was driving a sports car, dark in color with shiny rims.

Browne said the investigation took in excess of 20 manhours.

“When we have more than one person devoted to a case like this, it takes away from other important things we can be doing,” Browne said.

When police receive crime reports, they try to get the information out to the public as soon as possible, he said, so people can be aware. The same holds true for false reports to let the public know there is no risk associated with such cases, Browne said.